Powering Madang Integrated Fishery Industrial Zone Cold Storage in Papua New Guinea

In the second quarter of 2024, as Papua New Guinea (PNG) pushed forward its fisheries sector reform and transformation plan to shift from raw resource export to downstream processing, the construction of the Madang Integrated Fishery Industrial Zone became a key project under this national strategy. The zone, covering 650 hectares, includes critical infrastructure such as cold storage facilities, canneries, and a fuel depot, with the cold storage being the core to ensure the freshness of tuna and other seafood. Our team at Dongguan GERITEL Electrical Co., Ltd. was honored to be selected as the exclusive cable supplier for the cold storage construction project, providing high-quality Elastomer Cable, SWA Cable, and VSD Cable to solve the client’s urgent wiring challenges and support the smooth progress of this important industrial project.

1. Urgent Wiring Needs Amid Harsh Conditions and Strict Standards

The client, a PNG-based engineering firm responsible for the cold storage construction in the Madang Integrated Fishery Industrial Zone, faced multiple critical pain points that threatened the project schedule and operational safety. First, the cold storage facility required cables that could adapt to extreme temperature differences—ranging from 35°C in the outdoor industrial zone to -18°C inside the cold storage compartments. Ordinary cables would easily crack or lose insulation performance under such drastic temperature changes, leading to short circuits and equipment failure. Second, part of the cables needed to be installed outdoors, exposed to heavy rainfall, high humidity, and salt spray from the nearby coastal area, which demanded strong corrosion resistance and waterproof performance. Third, the cold storage relied on variable frequency compressors to maintain stable low temperatures, requiring cables that could transmit power stably without interference. Fourth, as a key infrastructure project in PNG, the client had strict requirements for product compliance: all electrical products must hold SAA certification to ensure safety and meet local regulatory requirements. Finally, the project had a tight deadline—all wiring work needed to be completed within 8 weeks to avoid delaying the overall commissioning of the cold storage, which meant the cable supplier must guarantee fast delivery without compromising quality.

Before cooperating with us, the client had contacted several cable suppliers but failed to find a suitable partner. Some suppliers lacked SAA certification, making their products unable to pass local inspection; others could not provide cables that could withstand the harsh temperature and environmental conditions of the project; a few could meet the quality requirements but could not guarantee on-time delivery. The client’s core demand was clear: find a supplier with SAA certification, rich experience in similar industrial projects, high-quality cables suitable for cold storage and outdoor environments, and efficient delivery capabilities.

2. Selecting the Right Cables to Address Core Pain Points

After in-depth communication with the client and on-site investigation of the Madang Integrated Fishery Industrial Zone, our team customized a comprehensive cable solution focusing on Elastomer Cable, SWA Cable, and VSD Cable, each selected for its unique advantages to match the project’s specific needs.

For the internal wiring of the cold storage, we recommended Elastomer Cable (model: EPR 0.6/1kV 4Core 2.5mm² and 4Core 4mm²). Unlike ordinary PVC cables that become brittle at low temperatures, Elastomer Cable uses high-quality ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) as the insulation material, which maintains excellent flexibility and insulation performance in the temperature range of -40°C to 105°C—perfectly adapting to the cold storage’s internal low temperature and the outdoor high temperature outside. Its oil-resistant and wear-resistant properties also make it suitable for installation in the cold storage’s humid environment, avoiding insulation damage caused by long-term contact with moisture. The client chose this cable over traditional PVC cables because it solves the key problem of cable brittleness and insulation failure under extreme temperature differences, ensuring long-term stable operation of the cold storage’s internal electrical equipment such as temperature sensors and cooling fans.

For the outdoor wiring between the cold storage and the power distribution room, we provided SWA Cable (model: XLPE/PVC SWA/PVC 0.6/1kV 3Core+1Core 10mm² and 3Core+1Core 16mm²), which is an ideal outdoor cable for industrial projects. SWA Cable (Steel Wire Armoured Cable) features a galvanized steel wire armour layer, which provides strong mechanical protection against external impacts, rodent bites, and mechanical damage during installation and operation. Its XLPE insulation and PVC outer sheath offer excellent corrosion resistance and waterproof performance, effectively resisting the erosion of salt spray, heavy rainfall, and high humidity in the coastal outdoor environment—addressing the client’s concern about outdoor cable durability. Compared with unarmoured outdoor cables, SWA Cable’s mechanical strength is significantly higher, reducing the risk of cable damage and power outages, which is crucial for the continuous operation of the cold storage.

For the wiring of the cold storage’s variable frequency compressors, we supplied VSD Cable (model: XLPE/PVC Cu Tape Screened 0.6/1kV 3Core 6mm² and 3Core 10mm²). Variable speed drives (VSDs) generate high-frequency electrical noise during operation, which can interfere with the power transmission of ordinary cables and affect the stability of the compressor. VSD Cable is designed with a symmetrical, balanced structure and copper tape shielding, which effectively reduces radiated interference from electrical noise, ensuring stable power supply to the compressors and improving energy efficiency. Unlike ordinary power cables, VSD Cable’s shielding layer can isolate electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), preventing equipment malfunctions caused by signal distortion—meeting the client’s demand for stable and efficient operation of the cold storage’s core cooling equipment.

3. SAA Certification and Strict Quality Control as the Foundation

The client attached great importance to product safety and compliance, and our SAA certification was the key factor that won their trust. SAA certification is a recognized compliance assessment for electrical products in the Australia and New Zealand region, requiring rigorous testing including conductor resistance, insulation resistance, voltage resistance, flame propagation, and other items to ensure product safety and performance. All our Elastomer Cable, SWA Cable, and VSD Cable have passed SAA certification and are correctly marked with the RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark), ensuring legal access to the PNG market and passing local safety inspections smoothly.

In addition to certification, we implemented strict quality control throughout the production process to ensure product reliability. We use high-purity copper conductors to ensure low resistance and efficient power transmission; the insulation materials are imported from reliable suppliers to ensure stable performance in harsh environments; each batch of cables undergoes 100% testing (including insulation resistance test, voltage test, and mechanical performance test) before leaving the factory. Our rich experience in undertaking similar industrial cold storage projects also provided the client with additional confidence—we have successfully supplied cables for multiple cold storage and industrial zone projects in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region, mastering the core technology of cable selection and application in harsh environments.

4. Efficient Cooperation to Meet Tight Deadlines

Understanding the urgency of the project, we prioritized the Madang cold storage cable order after signing the contract. Our production team adjusted the production schedule to ensure full capacity production, and the quality inspection team conducted real-time inspections to avoid any delays caused by quality issues. The logistics team customized the fastest shipping route—using sea freight to Port Moresby (PNG’s main port) and then land transportation to Madang, shortening the transportation time to 21 days. To ensure smooth customs clearance, we prepared all relevant documents in advance, including SAA certification reports, product test reports, and commercial invoices, avoiding customs delays due to incomplete documents.

During the delivery process, we maintained real-time communication with the client, providing updated information on production progress, shipping status, and estimated arrival time. When the cables arrived at the project site, our technical team provided remote guidance to the client’s installation team, explaining the installation precautions for each type of cable (such as the bending radius of SWA Cable and the shielding layer connection of VSD Cable) to ensure correct installation and avoid potential safety hazards. Thanks to our efficient production, logistics, and technical support, all cables were delivered and installed on time, completing the wiring work 3 days ahead of the scheduled 8-week deadline, laying a solid foundation for the cold storage’s commissioning.

5. Stable Operation and Mutual Win-Win Cooperation

In October 2024, the Madang Integrated Fishery Industrial Zone cold storage was officially commissioned, and our supplied Elastomer Cable, SWA Cable, andVSD Cable have been operating stably for more than 6 months. The cold storage maintains a stable temperature of -18°C, with no cable failures such as short circuits or insulation damage. The outdoor cable (SWA Cable) has withstood the test of heavy rainfall and salt spray, showing no signs of corrosion or damage; the Elastomer Cable operates normally in the extreme temperature difference environment, ensuring the stable operation of internal electrical equipment; the VSD Cable effectively isolates electrical noise, making the variable frequency compressors run efficiently and stably, reducing energy consumption by about 12% compared to the client’s expected level.

The client highly recognized our products and services. They emphasized that our SAA-certified cables not only met local regulatory requirements but also adapted perfectly to the harsh project environment, solving their core pain points of compliance, durability, and stability. Our fast delivery and professional technical support also ensured the project’s progress, bringing them significant economic benefits— the cold storage can now process and store up to 500 tons of seafood per day, helping PNG realize the downstream processing of its tuna resources and promote the development of the local fisheries industry. The client has expressed their willingness to cooperate with us for long-term projects, including the subsequent expansion of the Madang Integrated Fishery Industrial Zone.

6. Choose GERITEL for Your Industrial Cable Needs

This project in Papua New Guinea fully demonstrates our core advantages: SAA certification to ensure compliance and safety, rich experience in similar industrial projects, high-quality cables tailored to harsh environments, and fast delivery to meet tight project deadlines. We understand that for industrial projects such as cold storage, cable quality and compliance are crucial—any cable failure can lead to huge economic losses and project delays. That’s why we always adhere to the principle of “quality first, customer-oriented”, providing customers with reliable cable solutions and professional services.

If you are undertaking industrial projects (especially cold storage, industrial zones, or outdoor projects) and need high-quality Elastomer Cable, SWA Cable, VSD Cable, or other types of cables, Dongguan GERITEL Electrical Co., Ltd. is your trusted partner. We have SAA certification and rich experience in cable export, able to provide tailored solutions according to your project’s specific environment and needs, ensuring compliance, durability, and stable operation of the cables. We guarantee fast delivery and professional technical support to help you complete your project smoothly.

Contact us now to discuss your cable needs and get a customized quote:

Dongguan GERITEL Electrical Co., Ltd.

Tel/WhatsApp/WeChat: +86 135 1078 4550 / +86 136 6257 9592

Email: manager01@greaterwire.com

We look forward to cooperating with you and helping your project succeed with high-quality cables and professional services!